Untamed Leader

Send Lauri a messageWhat if your biggest leadership mistake wasn't the decisions you made, but the mental model you were carrying when you made them?Leadership coach Kurt Bush started out believing leaders had to have all the answers. Spoiler: it nearly cost him the room. What he discovered instead, through mentorship, a pandemic, and a lot of curiosity, reshaped how he shows up in every room, every conversation, every crisis.In this episode, Lauri and Kurt dive into one of the clearest lessons to come out of high-pressure seasons like the pandemic: how we do things matters more than what we do. From pastoring in 2020 to leading volunteer teams and cultures, Kurt shares why he aims to be the least anxious presence in the room and how curiosity supports that. They explore curiosity as a leadership skill, and why being present is often the first step toward better decisions, stronger relationships, and healthier conflict.Plus, the brimstone butterfly, a ropes course story, a physicist around a fire pit, and why the best pastor in town might have 10 people in the pews.TAKEAWAYS1. The mental model you carry into leadership shapes everything, including whether people actually follow you.2. Trying to hide that you don't have all the answers never works. People always know.3. How we do things is even more important than what we do.4. Curiosity and presence are linked: it's nearly impossible to be genuinely curious without being present at the same time.5. Anxiety in leadership often comes from an outdated model: needing to be right, in control, having answers. Curiosity dissolves it.6. "Do you want to say more about that?" is a question that creates space, buys processing time, and invites deeper thinking. 75% of the time, people work themselves to a more grounded place.7. The room takes on the leader's personality. What energy are you bringing in?8. A leader is simply someone with people following them — everything else works itself out from there.9. The best leaders may be the quietest ones, leading closely with a few, not loudly with many. Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego QuizTake the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat if the version of you that shrinks is both timid and brilliant?In this retreat coaching session, we sit with Brian Perry, an authentic communication coach and singer-songwriter, as his body remembers a childhood rule: being seen is dangerous. What unfolds is a vivid map of survival, from bullying to family dynamics, and the subtle ways a protector part can keep you safe while also keeping you small.A kid who learned that the most dangerous thing was to be seen. A man who believed he was meant to be a priest. A body that still knows how to make itself smaller, even at six foot six. And underneath all of it — a version of Brian that people feel in the room before he says a word.This episode is a window into real, embodied coaching work. A living exploration into what gets held back, what it costs, and what becomes possible when you stop hiding behind the lockers.As you listen, put yourself in his shoes. Ask yourself the questions I'm asking him. Notice what stirs.TAKEAWAYSThe survival strategies that kept us safe as kids don't disappear at 53 — they go underground and keep running the show. Of course they do. They worked.Courageous cowering isn't weakness. It's a smart adaptation that held something precious until the danger passed. Honoring it is the first step to releasing it.Invisibility as a survival strategy and neurodivergence interact in particular ways — the "too much and never enough" experience can make staying small feel like the only safe option.Strength doesn't come despite the survival years. It comes because of them.You can't think your way into a new version of yourself. You have to feel the posture and inhabit the body of the leader you’re becoming.  Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageThe most dangerous career trap is not failure. It’s comfort that slowly turns into a cage. In this episode of the Untamed Leader Podcast, Lauri sits down with Dr. Karen Koepp, a strategic advisor who helps senior leaders navigate high-stakes turning points. At the heart of the conversation is a childhood expedition that still shapes how Karen guides clients today and the pattern she sees with leaders at every level: you can know exactly where you want to go, but the moment you step out the door, the doubts get loud. Can I do this? Will it cost too much? Am I really the kind of person who can consult others, write the book, or reinvent my career?In the face of these doubts "important but not urgent" often becomes the graveyard of our most meaningful work.Karen shares how she listens for the energy in a leader’s stories to find the real seeds of passion hiding under years of shoulds, and how she helps clients turn that passion into something structured, usable, and alive.If you’re a leader with something real to contribute and keep finding yourself back inside the house instead of out on the path, this one’s for you.TAKEAWAYS1. Knowing where you want to go is a necessary but insufficient condition for actually getting there.2. Taming is sneaky. The comfortable structure that once kept you safe is often the same thing keeping you stuck.3. Important but not urgent is where our most meaningful work goes to die. Connecting to our purpose helps create the motivation to get started or keep going. 4. Low-risk experiments beat big leaps when doubts cloud the way.5. Going it alone is like trying to find the park in the dark. Generic programs built for someone else’s terrain make it worse, not better.6. Aliveness has a somatic signature. A good guide listens for where the seeds of passion live in your story.7. Take the first step. Don’t wait for it to become urgent — it won’t. The important thing is always a choice, and you have to be the one who makes it. Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat does untaming look like and how do we do it? This is a real coaching session from the Untamed Leader Spring Retreat: Embody Your Vision — unscripted, embodied, and alive.Dana is stepping into a new chapter: retiring from her career, feeling called to “ocean” more, and finding out what living with more presence, intention, and impact feels like in her body. What you’ll witness is the untaming process in real time: two trees, two ways of being, and the question underneath it all.As you listen, put yourself in Dana’s shoes. Ask yourself the same questions. Notice what comes up in your own body. This conversation isn’t just hers, it’s yours too.In this episode:The difference between fire under your ass and fire in your heartThe safety question underneath many untaming decisionsHow frequency, not status, guides the untamed leaderIf you’ve ever felt the pull between the life that looks right and the one that feels true — this episode is for you.Key TakeawaysThere’s a difference between fire under your ass and fire in your heart. One burns you out. The other fuels you forward.Confirming in the “tree farm” gives you credibility, standing, and external validation. It can also cost you yourself. Either/or thinking is usually a lie. When you trust yourself new options become clear and you can go anywhere.External validation and inner calling pull in opposite directions. Knowing which one is driving your decisions changes everything.One important question lurking underneath untaming moments: “Is it safe to be who I actually am?”When you’re present, you’re safe. Presence is not a condition of the environment, it’s something you carry.Leadership is a landscape, not a ladder. There is no top tree. There is only your tree.Untamed Leaders make decisions by frequency, not by status or prestige. You can feel the difference in your body.a Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat happens when insight isn't enough — when your vision is clear, your mind runs fast, and follow-through keeps breaking anyway?Executive functioning and resilience coach Kevin Bailey spent years burning out trying to out-learn and out-effort his way to success before he stopped trying to fix himself and started designing support systems built for him. That terrain between knowing and doing became part of his life's work.In this conversation, Kevin and Lauri explore the journey from masking to belonging, values as a compass, and what becomes possible when you stop fighting your own brain.Whether you're neurodivergent or just exhausted from performing a version of yourself that doesn't fit—this episode is for you.TAKEAWAYSYour differences aren't the problem. The story that your differences need to be hidden is the problem.Working harder and knowing more is not a substitute for building systems that fit how your brain actually works.Masking drains your battery at a rate most people around you can't see. For neurodivergent people, it often runs at 25–40% capacity—constantly.Recovery isn't about completely topping masking—it's about designing systems that reduce demand so the battery isn't perpetually draining.Neurodivergent burnout is distinct from job burnout. It's the accumulated cost of chronic alertness, masking, and nervous system strain—not just overwork.The gap between knowing and doing is terrain, not a character flaw. Understanding that terrain is where the real work begins.What energizes you matters. Values are a compass. Your best and worst experiences both point to them.True leadership requires courage and the willingness to be vulnerable—not a performance of confidence.Connect with [email protected]://www.notion.so/kevinbailey/Design-a-Work-System-That-Actually-Works-With-Your-Brain-2863ccb6c400804db39ff9a492529434?source=copy_linkhttps://gobeyondknowing.com/ Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat if the reason your business feels stuck isn't the strategy — it's all the disconnected parts that nobody's connecting? Fractional COO Lauren Zaslansky Conner has spent decades doing exactly that: linking the systems, the people, and the purpose that most businesses leave siloed.In this episode, Lauren shares how a "jungle gym career" — moving through corporate, startup, and fractional consulting worlds — taught her that everything is connected: work, family, finances, identity. We talk about the Disney turning point that changed everything, what it takes to navigate bureaucratic blobs when you're advocating for a child with special needs, and why she describes herself as "the fascia of the business."If you're a founder who can't take a vacation without everything falling apart, or a leader trying to make sense of the whole from the parts — Lauren's work and way of seeing will land.TAKEAWAYS1. The jungle gym beats the ladder. Careers that loop, leap, and explore build more transferable wisdom than a straight upward climb — and they feel more like play.2. Everything is connected. What looks like a business problem is almost always also a health, relationship, or confidence problem. Systems thinkers know you can't fix one without looking at the whole.3. Chaos is the entry point, not the obstacle. When life handed Lauren simultaneous job loss and a new diagnosis, she didn't collapse — she went into systems mode. Crisis can clarify what matters and what needs building.4. Be the fascia. The heart has a job. The brain has a job. And the fascia connects them. The most valuable leadership often happens in the connective tissue between teams, functions, and people.5. Learn the language of every system you're navigating. Whether it's a corporate bureaucracy, a school district, or a county service system — every institution has its own acronyms and power structures. Learning them is a survival and advocacy skill.6. Founders who are the only ones holding the whole thing together haven't built a business — they've built a job they can't leave. If you can't take a vacation, that's your first clue. Connect with LaurenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenzaslanskyconner/Email: [email protected] Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego QuizTake the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat if the greatest leadership credential isn't a title or a degree — it's the moment you realized you had no idea what you were doing?Charlie Sheppard — founder of the Human Presence Institute and president of Sheppard Partners — spent four decades helping executives and teams develop presence, influence, and real communication. But it started somewhere much humbler: a management role he wasn't ready for and a feeling he describes simply as "woefully unprepared."In this bonus episode, Charlie shares the discovery path that moment set him on — from modeling great leaders through NLP, to building the Drama Triangle into a leadership tool, to why presence (not information) is the differentiator that AI can't replace. Plus: bungee jumping as an untaming practice, sourdough bread as a leadership parable, and the most honest pivot pivot answer in Untamed Leader history.Key Takeaways1. Feeling like a fraud early in your career can be the beginning of a true learning path. 2. The Drama Triangle (adversary, rescuer, victim) shows up even in the simplest moments.3. Leadership is choosing your energy state, not just your words.4. Vision is an antidote to drama.5. One form of untaming is practicing the edge until the edge becomes comfortable — then finding a new edge.6. Presence — not information — is the coin of the realm now. AI can outperform any human on information retrieval. It cannot replace the energetic that announces you before you walk in the room.7. We're often so focused on how far we haven't come that we miss how far we have. Leaders need people around them who will help them notice the mile-markers on the journey.Connect with Charliehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/charliesheppard/https://www.sheppardpartners.com/ Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat happens to a leader's clarity after the crisis passes — when things go quiet and the pressure turns inward? Savio P. Clemente, TEDx speaker, journalist, bestselling author, and two-time cancer survivor, brings that answer from somewhere most guests never travel: 29 days of silence in a hospital quarantine room.In this episode, Savio and Lauri explore a hidden gap in leadership — not the crisis itself, but what follows it. They unpack metacognition as the edge beyond emotional intelligence, what it actually means to reframe suffering without minimizing it, why healing is never linear, and how the human capacity for presence is the one thing AI will never replicate.This is a conversation about what gets forged in the dark — and the kind of leader that comes out the other side.KEY TAKEAWAYS1. The post-crisis leadership gap happens when the crisis focus lifts and turns inward. 2. Metacognition is the frontier beyond emotional intelligence — it's not just noticing your emotions, it's watching who is doing the noticing.3. Healing is not linear. It moves in spirals. What looks like regression may be a deeper layer of the same lesson returning.4. Surrender is a leadership skill. 5. Body autonomy isn't just physical — it includes knowing your own motivations, drives, and what dims your light before anyone else does.6. Strength isn't imperviousness. Courage is facing the thing, not pretending it isn't there.7. Our fear in facing mortality often isn't death — it's the fear of having left unlived the thing we came here to contribute.8. AI can approximate information, but it cannot replicate the resonance, signal, and pattern of human presence. That's where leadership lives.9. Self-regulation isn't about suppression — it's about creating enough psychological distance from the problem to come back to yourself, then respond from there. Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego QuizTake the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messagePersonal branding expert and visual designer Rachel Lee built her brand by doing something most people are terrified to do: she showed the world exactly who she is — messy edges, weird quirks, and all. The response changed her life.In this episode of Untamed Leader, Rachel shares how she went from a rule-following, approval-seeking "good girl" to co-founding Neogenesis, a visual branding agency built specifically for creatives and misfit entrepreneurs who are ready to own their weird. Her story is about what happens when you stop curating yourself for other people’s comfort — and start letting your brand be a mirror of who you actually are.We talk about:What the 2019 upheaval that changed everything actually cost her — and what it gave herThe Frankenstein business most entrepreneurs build before they find their real brandWhy a "curated storefront" brand is the opposite of what makes people trust youThe moment she decided to take her personality off mute — and what happened nextThe difference between personal branding as strategy vs. personal branding as a mirrorWhat a permission slip actually means — and why you need oneIf you’ve ever felt the disconnect between how you show up online and how you actually are, this conversation will name that gap and invite you toward something more real.TakeawaysWhile showing up as you feels risky, it’s actually the most efficient path to the right clients. People who don’t connect with the real you aren’t your clients anyway.Most entrepreneurs build a Frankenstein version of their brand by borrowing pieces from other people’s frameworks. It works just enough to survive — and never quite fits.A "curated storefront" brand creates a disconnect between what people see and who they actually get. That disconnect undermines trust before the relationship begins.Branding isn’t a re-outfit — it’s a mirror. The real work is showing what’s inside, not constructing a strategic exterior.Being seen fully — with all the weird and messy edges — and still being chosen is one of the most profound human experiences. It’s also the experience that turns clients into advocates.The untaming journey often requires a period of radical disruption before it becomes an adventure. Knowing others have survived it matters.Intuition often arrives before the language does. Rachel built her personal brand intuitively before she knew it had a name. That discovery happened after the doing.Permission is the doorway. What most people need isn’t a better strategy — it’s the permission slip to show up as they are. Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego QuizTake the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat does it cost to keep saying "I'm fine"? Executive coach Lauren Lefkowitz broke both her shoulders chasing a Roomba.In this episode of Untamed Leader, Lauri and Lauren unpack the price of the work-sleep-repeat cycle — and what it takes to want more for yourself when you've spent a lifetime being good at everything except rest.Lauren is an executive coach and founder of Fine Is a Trap. She spent nearly 20 years in corporate HR, coaching on the side, and overworking at 80–100 hours a week — until she couldn't raise her hand to volunteer anymore. What followed was a real-life experiment in untaming: five-minute morning reads, boundary scripts, and learning that a goal without a plan is just a wish.They talk about:Why high achievers can be the last to know they're drowningThe connection between "I don't want this" and knowing what you do wantWhat it feels like to finally have evenings and weekends — and why that's terrifyingThe all-or-nothing trap that keeps ambitious women stuckSmall steps that actually stick (and why they outperform big leaps every time)Key Takeaways1. "Fine" is a lid. It keeps you from falling further — and from rising higher. The same word that protects you also becomes the ceiling.2. High achievers are often the least equipped to see their own burnout. Being good at doing doesn't make you good at feeling. The skills that built your career can keep you from noticing you're barely surviving.3. Wanting change and knowing how to change are two different things. You can desperately want something different and still have no idea where to start. That gap isn't weakness — it's just the next thing to solve.4. Clarity about what you don't want is a valid starting point. You don't have to know what you want in order to move. Start with what feels wrong, icky, or off — and let the opposites reveal themselves from there.5. A goal without a plan is a wish. Intention without structure evaporates. Real change happens in the tiniest, most boringly specific steps — not in big declarations.6. The all-or-nothing mind is its own trap. If you can't do it all the way, it doesn't mean don't start. One five-minute read in the morning is the beginning of something. Perfectionism masquerades as standards.7. Space is terrifying before it's liberating. When you stop filling every hour, the first thing you feel is the chemicals leaving your body. That discomfort is withdrawal — not a sign you've made a mistake.8. Self-serving is a leadership skill. You cannot pour from a cup you've never filled. Filling your own tank first is what makes genuine, sustained service possible — not the martyr who runs on scraps.9. You are not the most objective person about yourself. The things you can't see about yourself are exactly what other people can see clearly. Community and coaching aren't luxuries — they're mirrors.Connect with Lauren:Website: fineisatrap.comLinkedIn: Lauren Lefkowitz Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego QuizTake the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat does it take to build a global movement of 14,000 people — across 48 countries and six continents — without a single dollar of advertising? Ask Camille Miller.Camille is the founder of the Soul Professional Movement, a three-time Amazon bestselling author, and a former nonprofit executive turned visionary entrepreneur. In this conversation, she and Lauri go deep on the quiet revolution happening inside mission-driven leaders: the shift from control to sovereignty, from reacting to responding, and from strategy to embodied presence.We talk about ego at 22 vs. ego at 58. About filing for divorce and discovering that not every action deserves a response. About why working harder isn't what fills your pipeline — and what does. About the moment Camille realized she'd spent years trying NOT to be the face of her own company, and why the world had other plans.If you're a mission-driven entrepreneur who's ever felt like the old business playbook wasn't built for you — this one's for you.TakeawaysHyper-independence can look like drive from the outside and feel like control from the inside — and unlearning it is part of the leadership journey.Not every action deserves a response. Sometimes choosing silence is a leadership skill, not a weakness.Your personal life and professional life are one life. The lessons don't stay in their lane — they bleed through, and that's where the real growth lives.The inner work produces the outer results. Rewiring how your brain relates to what's possible is a business strategy.Space is productive time. Walking, biking, driving, being near water — these aren't breaks from the work, they're where the answers come.Vision holding is a job. Not everyone is a visionary, and being the one who holds the frequency for others is its own form of leadership.Structure can stop your creativity. The most innovative people often aren't the ones who followed the traditional path.We are our brand. The future of work is fractional, sovereign, and individual — and the soul professional lives at that leading edge.People magnetize to your personal energy before they buy into your business. Embodying your mission isn't soft — it's the strategy.Connect with Camille: Website, LinkedIn  Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego QuizTake the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat does it actually take to let go — not because you're wise enough, but because your back gave out and you had no other choice?Entrepreneur and business coach Chris Shurian started his first company the hard way: handling every nail, every conversation, every quality check himself. Then he herniated a disc playing softball. Two weeks flat on his back, no cell phones, and two employees who turned out to be better carpenters than he was. That injury became a turning point — and the start of a career built on a deceptively simple principle: trust your team, hold the guardrails, and get out of the way.In this conversation, Chris and Lauri explore the moment control becomes the enemy of growth, what it means to lead from vision instead of micromanagement, and why the best leaders he's ever known were "dealers of hope" — making people feel capable before they believed it themselves. Chris also shares the barefoot principle, why he handed his 12-year-old the keys of a stick shift, and what his platform Bootstraps & Battle Scars is all about.If you feel like you might need to wrestle something real from your own hands to become the leader you’re meant to be — this one's for you.TAKEAWAYS1. The most transformational leadership moments are often forced, not chosen — injury, crisis, and necessity can be faster teachers than any book.2. Letting go of control doesn't mean dropping standards. It requires trust. Trust in those standards, trust in ourselves, and trust in others. 3. The guardrail model: define the vision, set non-negotiables, then give people the freedom to deliver within them. 4. Leaders who magnetize great people embody their values clearly — the wrong fits weed themselves out; the right ones rise.5.  "Leaders are dealers of hope" — the leaders who changed Chris most made him feel like the best version of himself before he'd earned it.6. Battle scars aren't failures to hide — they're the curriculum. You build something real from bootstraps and battle scars, not from perfect conditions.7. Untamed leadership means trusting people to find their own way to the destination — not micromanaging the route they take to get there.About ChrisChris Shurian is an entrepreneur, business coach, and founder of Bootstraps & Battle Scars and Founders Exchange. After building a construction company from a truck and a toolbox to 50 employees — with a herniated disc as his most important business lesson — Chris spent decades leading companies across multiple industries before his most recent exit from the restaurant business in 2024. He now channels decades of hard-earned wisdom into coaching entrepreneurs, interviewing fellow founders on his podcast Bootstraps & Battle Scars, and helping the next generation of business leaders navigate the real terrain of building something from nothing.Connect with Chris: BootstrapsandBattlescars.com Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego QuizTake the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat does it actually mean to untame a leader—and why does it matter right now? In this Season 3 premiere of Untamed Leader, Lauri Smith flips the mic. Longtime collaborator, singer-songwriter, and authentic communication coach Brian Perry steps in as interviewer—and the result is one of the most honest, searching conversations about leadership, voice, and coming home to yourself that Lauri has ever had on this podcast.Lauri unpacks the real meaning of "untamed leadership" (hint: it's not a rebrand gimmick), the difference between being present and being lost in a spreadsheet, and why the leaders this world actually needs are the ones willing to stop performing certainty. They trace the arc from her first coaching class at the Coactive Training Institute—where she turned to a stranger and said "I think I just found the final piece"—to the creative tension that defines Untamed Leader today.They also get into Alyssa Liu, toolboxes, eggshell walking, dog whistles of the soul, and what happens when you stop trying to make decisions in your head and start trusting what's alive in your body. This is not a leadership theory episode. This is what leadership actually looks like from the inside.If you've been waiting for a sign to stop leading the tamed way—this is it.Key TakeawaysUntamed Leader is a homecoming. The seeds were planted in Lauri's very first coaching class, and this chapter is about finally weaving them all together.The world needs leaders who can hold a vision and stay present at the same time. That creative tension—between "I'm here" and "I know what's possible"—is where real leadership lives.You can't make good decisions from inside a spreadsheet. When the body expands, peripheral vision opens, and birds fly by the window—that's when the real answers come.Taming is insidious. Many of us are walking on eggshells in our own lives and don't know it. Spotting the "should" is the first act of untaming.Alyssa Liu didn't win gold by following the playbook. She won by returning to joy. The same move that makes a champion makes an untamed leader.Untaming doesn't mean leaping into chaos. It means opening the second level of the toolbox—returning to your natural way of navigating the world, then letting someone help you use it better.Patience is a practice. The right answer doesn't always arrive on schedule. Willingness to not have the final answer yet isn't weakness—it's leadership.You can move through chaos without becoming the chaos. That's not woo—it's what every great athlete, performer, and leader learns.Voice is the vehicle. When someone is ready to stand in community and use their voice to create something in the world—that's Lauri's arena, and it lights her up everywhere. Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego QuizTake the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageThe Soulful Speaking Podcast is now the Untamed Leader Podcast.The name has changed.The pulse has not.How did we get here?Over years of conversations about voice, presence, and creative courage, a deeper truth kept surfacing. Soulful speaking was never just about speaking. It was always about leadership as a sacred art — the kind that stands steady in chaos, holds vision in the storm, and inspires others forward.Soul-driven. Intuition-guided. Untamed.If you’ve been listening for a while, you may have felt this coming.Welcome to the next chapter.Welcome to Untamed Leader.Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat happens when your voice disappears—right when you need it most?In this deeply human conversation, Lisa Roche, host of the Find Your Flow podcast, joins Lauri to explore what it really means to find your voice when your body says no.Lisa shares a powerful story of freezing, sobbing, and being unable to speak in front of others—despite years of performing on world-class stages. What followed wasn’t a technique or mindset shift, but a profound reckoning with vulnerability, community, and worth.Together, Lauri and Lisa weave theater, music, somatics, spirituality, and leadership into a conversation about why so many of us hide behind our own “cellos” like slides, scripts, or peppy masks—and what becomes possible when we drop down into the truth beneath our words.This is not a conversation about sounding better. It’s about becoming more available. To ourselves. To others. To life.If you’ve ever felt your throat close, your breath disappear, or your truth hover just out of reach—this episode is an invitation to come home.Takeaways1. Your voice doesn’t disappear because you’re weak—it disappears because something tender is asking to be met2. Performance anxiety is often unprocessed vulnerability, not lack of skill3. Many speakers hide behind “cellos”: slides, scripts, roles, or personas that feel safer than presence4. True safety doesn’t come from control—it comes from connection5. Harmony is not agreement; it’s different truths resonating together6. Speaking becomes transformational when it’s a two-way energetic exchange, not a projection7. Community can hold what the individual cannot8. Finding your voice also means remembering and embracing your worth9. When we stop trying to heal others, clarity and boundaries emerge Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego QuizTake the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat happens when the life that looks successful on paper no longer feels true inside?In this episode, best-selling author and real estate entrepreneur Betsy Pepine shares the deeply personal journey that led her to write Breaking Boxes: Dismantling the Metaphorical Boxes That Bind Us. From family-of-origin expectations and gender norms to professional identities and marital labels, Betsy reflects on the invisible structures that shape our choices—and what it takes to step beyond them.We explore how speaking for her book differs from speaking for a company, why writing was both challenging and healing, and how choosing a more authentic path transformed not only her career—but her voice. This conversation is a reminder that some boxes protect us for a time… and some are meant to be taken apart.Takeaways1. Success can quietly coexist with deep dissatisfaction.2. Some boxes protect us for a season, then begin to confine us.3. Speaking for a company requires a different voice than speaking for yourself.4. Vulnerability often eases once the truth is already out in the world.5. Family-of-origin expectations can shape decades of career and identity choices.6. Labels and forms subtly influence how others see us—and how we see ourselves.7. Writing can be both a creative craft and a deeply therapeutic process.8. Authentic speaking allows the full range of head, heart, and humanity to show up. Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageIn this bonus episode, Speaker, coach, and Next Level University CEO Alan Lazaros joins Lauri for a raw, high-voltage conversation about fear, intensity, and the courage to be “too much.” From a high-school speech panic (and a hypnotist’s snowboard hack) to a near-fatal car crash at 26 that turned a career into a calling, Alan traces the inner rewiring that let him own his truth on stage and in life. They unpack the peak-performance “Goldilocks zone,” why “slow down” isn’t always smart advice, how shame hides at both ends of the bell curve, and why accurate thinking—not people-pleasing—creates real impact. If you’ve ever been told to be less, this episode invites you to be true.Takeaways1. Your sweet spot isn’t “calm on the couch”—it’s alive, engaged, and just-challenging-enough.2. Early speaking anxiety can be reframed: pair fear with a domain where you feel powerful (Alan used snowboarding via hypnosis).3. Being “too much” is often code for “you’re triggering the status quo.” Own it with discernment, not apology.4. A career becomes a calling the moment you stop diluting yourself to fit in.5. Alcohol (and other numbing) can mute a future-oriented brain to “blend”—notice what you’re dampening.6. Boundaries require recalibrating your “respect Richter scale,” especially after chaotic upbringings.7. Principles beat templates: pauses, tone, story—apply them to your unique style, not someone else’s.8. Truth vs. social performance: accurate thinking liberates your voice and your life.9. Shame clusters at the edges of the bell curve; compassion + honesty dissolves it. Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego QuizTake the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat happens when the person who once hyperventilated in middle school at the mere thought of speaking… becomes the woman people ask to take photos with after her talk?In this episode, Lauri sits down with Kelly Schuknecht, marketing strategist, thought leadership coach, and founder of Two Mile High Marketing, to trace the true origin of Kelly’s visibility: not a strategy, not a brand pivot—a whisper.Kelly shares the moment she watched other speakers and thought, “I could teach that.” Then the deeper thread: a fear of being looked at—rooted not in dramatic “capital-T” trauma, but in quieter conditioning that says, don’t stand out… don’t make waves.From a first talk where the tech failed to the day she walked into a room with 1,000 chairs, this conversation is for every “unicorn” leader who’s been trying to follow someone else’s formula—and wondering why it doesn’t fit.If you’re being called to teach, lead, speak, or create… this episode is a lantern.TAKEAWAYS1. The beginning of thought leadership is often a soft inner knowing: “I’m the teacher now.”2. Fear of visibility doesn’t require “big-T trauma” to be real—conditioning and “little-T” experiences can wire a deep stay-small reflex.3. Your audience often can’t see your internal storm—nerves aren’t the same as incompetence.4. Your first talk doesn’t need to be perfect; it needs to be done (also: don’t add unnecessary tech your first time).5. The moment you survive a “bigger cave” (like 250–300 people), smaller rooms stop feeling like dragons.6. Speaking isn’t just exposure—it’s a door that opens other doors (invites, summits, new visibility).7. A “unicorn niche” can actually be an advantage: fewer competitors means more fit opportunities.8. Building a team can be an act of leadership identity—choosing your way, not the “should” way.9. Authenticity beats imitation: borrowing someone else’s style instead of your essence is a visibility trap. Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego QuizTake the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat happens when “memorize it” kills your aliveness? In this bonus episode, speaker and leader Kurt Uhlir shares how forcing a script spiked his stress, shut down vulnerability, and flattened his presence — and how returning to flow changed everything. We unpack small-room freakouts, the body’s signals (hello, stress across the chest), and the simple reframe that turns fear into fuel. Then we put it all into practice with a live coaching moment using my Intend • Align • Invite framework. If you’ve ever felt over-scripted, under-present, or stuck between nerves and excitement, this one’s your permission slip to speak wild, untamed, and radiant — without losing real-world impact.Takeaways1. Flow beats memorization for authentic presence and impact.2. The body tells the truth: stress across the chest often signals “vulnerability closed.”3. Treat speaking like a conversation, not a soliloquy (improv > recitation).4. Counterintuitive truth: small rooms can trigger more nerves than arenas for some people.5. Fear and excitement feel the same in the body; label it excitement or scare-citement to channel energy.6. Your “worst talk” can reveal emotional triggers — and your path back to presence.7. Quick framework for Zoom & stage: Intend • Align • Invite (set the vibe, embody it, welcome them into it). Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat happens to your voice when survival requires silence?Kat Polsinelli stepped onstage at 10… and years later, found herself slowly losing her voice inside a decade-long abusive relationship she never expected to be in. In this intimate conversation, Kat and Lauri explore the invisible architecture of emotional and psychological abuse—how it isolates, rewrites reality, and convinces brilliant people to doubt their own knowing.Kat doesn’t just talk about her story—she tells it. Fully. Embodied. Unfiltered. As a living, breathing journey of control, awakening, and the moment choice returned.This episode is a masterclass in how speaking becomes healing—for both the storyteller and the listener—through the power of repetition (“say it again”), the liberation of not overexplaining, and the sacred pause that lets truth land in the room.If you’ve ever heard a voice inside you whisper share it… this one meets you there—with courage, clarity, and a path forward.About Kat: Kat Polsinelli is a sought-after speaker, bestselling co-author, and host of Real Chat with Kat, a top 10% globally ranked podcast airing on four radio stations and two public TV stations. From stepping onto a stage at 10 years old to reclaiming her voice after a decade-long abusive relationship, Kat’s journey is one of resilience and transformation.A survivor of domestic violence, PTSD, and single motherhood at 16, Kat speaks with grounded honesty about the invisible impact of emotional and psychological abuse, the power of boundaries, and the role self-worth plays in healing. Through her lived experience, she challenges assumptions about abuse and invites deeper understanding of the complexities survivors face.Connect with Kat: https://www.facebook.com/katpolsinellihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thelotuseffect/https://www.instagram.com/katpolsinelli/ Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego QuizTake the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageIn this bonus minisode, you’re invited into a grounding ritual — one that rose up unplanned during a conversation with a guest, and insisted on being shared.This is a moment to pause.To feel the truth of where you are.To reconnect with the pulse beneath your voice — that wild, steady rhythm that holds you long before any words arrive.If you’re longing for a reset…If your speaking feels scattered or over-efforting…If your nervous system is whispering for spaciousness…This minisode is a doorway back to the place your truest voice begins. Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageVoice and visibility coach Evelyne Brink returns with a story that’s part pilgrimage, part primal scream, and fully alive. From being told her voice was “dysfunctional” to getting into (and then kicked out of) musical theatre school, Evelyne follows intuition across continents—Thailand’s Sanctuary, New York cabarets, Brighton pubs—and even into an unlikely season as a #1 Madonna tribute artist. We unpack rejection, rewilding, and the moment you stop auditioning for approval and start embodying who you are. If you’ve ever felt “too much,” broke-but-brave, or called to say no to the shiny path, this conversation is your permission slip. Come for the glitter, stay for the grit—and leave with practices to trust your voice, your body, and your inner Wonder Woman.Key Takeaways1. Rejection redirects: Sometimes being “kicked out” is the first step toward freedom.2. Different ≠ broken: A unique voice is often your greatest gift.3. Intuition leads, logistics follow: The how unfolds when you listen to the call.4. Voice is healing: Sound, song, and primal release move trauma through the body.5. Art feeds art: Every gig, even the unexpected ones, refines your artistry.6. Aliveness transforms how we speak and lead. (Yes, even in corporate)7. Women’s voices are needed now: The world changes when we rewild expression.Connect with Evelyne:https://www.linkedin.com/in/evelynebrink/https://www.instagram.com/evelynebrink/https://www.evelynebrink.com/ Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego QuizTake the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageTherapist and nature-based guide Laura Rose shares how an early love of reading aloud and debate gave way to silence after bullying—then slowly blossomed into a wilder, truer voice through chanting, song circles, land stewardship, and community. We explore why language can’t carry all meaning, how sound opens the door, and what shifts when we replace “fit in” with “belong.” If you’re craving permission to express—beyond the rules and into resonance—this conversation will meet you where words begin: in the living pulse beneath them.Takeaways1. Your voice often begins before language—in vibration, breath, and sound.2. High school “fit in” culture can mute authenticity; healing happens in circles that welcome the whole self.3. Safety strategies (be quiet, take cues, perform “good”) work… until they don’t.4. Sounding and singing can heal the split between voice and soul.5. “Presence begins where primal and purpose meet”—and it can take years to find simple, true language for what you know.6. Nature mirrors our freedom—the wild yard thrives, the manicured one conforms.7. Speaking your truth gives others permission to find theirs—liberation is contagious.​ Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageIt’s 2026 — and somehow, we’re still not talking enough about menopause.In this unfiltered minisode, Lauri and her friend and fellow coach Kelly Myerson swap real stories about navigating hormonal shifts, medical gaslighting, and the mystery symptoms so many women are told to “just live with.”From sleepless nights to sudden clarity, they shed light (and laughter) on what really happens when your hormones start changing — and why breaking the silence might be one of the most powerful things you can do.If you’ve ever thought, “Is it just me?” — this one’s for you.TAKEAWAYS1. You’re not crazy — it’s chemistry. Midlife challenges are hormonal, not personal failings.2. You’re not too young. Hormonal changes can start in your 30s or early 40s, and early diagnosis matters, and your body deserves care, not confusion.3. Self-advocacy is essential. Don’t let “You’re fine” be the final word. Keep asking, researching, and trusting your body.4. Talking about it helps everyone. Speaking openly about menopause breaks stigma and builds community.5. There’s hope (and help). From holistic care to hormone therapy, relief and renewal are possible.Connect with Kelly:Substack: https://substack.com/@kellymyersonvoiceamplifier?r=3bsi5i&utm_medium=iosWebsite: https://www.kellymyerson.comLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-myerson-b6217843/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat if your sensitivity isn’t something to manage — but the very source of your power?In this heart-opening conversation, Lauri sits down with Bridges and Beacons host and authentic disruptor Kelly Myerson, a leadership coach and occupational therapist who helps women step out of silence and into soul-aligned leadership.Together, they unravel the myth that you have to harden, hustle, or people-please your way into leadership. Instead, they trace the path of staying tuned in — to your body, your boundaries, your values, and the quiet knowing at the center of your being.Kelly shares her journey from absorbing everyone’s energy to holding space with clarity and purpose. They talk about the science and soul of regulation, the quiet superpower of empathy, and the radical idea that rest and nourishment are not indulgences, but prerequisites for meaningful influence.If you’ve ever wondered how to stay open-hearted and grounded while using your voice for change, this conversation will feel like coming home. TAKEAWAYS: 1. Sensitivity is a superpower — when paired with boundaries, intuition becomes guidance rather than overwhelm.2. Leadership starts within — it’s not a role or job; it’s how you show up aligned with your values.3. Energy speaks louder than words — cultivating grounded presence shapes every room you enter.4. Well-being fuels impact — rest, nourishment, and joy are leadership essentials, not luxuries.5. Purpose isn’t a job — it lives within you and flows through everything you do.6. Intuition and science are allies — the body often knows what the mind hasn’t yet studied.7. Boundaries create freedom — they transform people-pleasing into authentic connection.8. Every voice matters — from children finding new ways to communicate to women reclaiming their radiance.9. Possibility is power — staying curious opens doors to creative, compassionate leadership. Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego QuizTake the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat if real leadership isn’t about being impressive… but being responsive?In this second Untamed Leader Conversation, Lauri Smith welcomes back Bridget Baker (founder & CEO of Bridget Baker Branding) and Brian Perry (story and authentic communication coach, singer-songwriter) for an intimate, wide-ranging exploration of what it means to lead—and speak—without the cage.Together, they unpack leadership as stewardship and service, what it means to follow the room (even when it’s “squishy”), and why the most transformational moments often begin in white space, not-knowing, and permission to be messy.They also name the sneaky ways we get “tamed”—by shoulds, boxes, perfection, even success—and how untaming isn’t a leap straight into wildness… it’s a liminal threshold where you deconstruct, let go slowly, and learn to trust what’s essential.If you’ve been trying to lead, speak, or build your work the “right” way—and something in you is done performing for the box—this one is for you.At the end, Lauri shares details for the Untamed Leader Retreat (January 15–16, 2026).Takeaways1. Leadership is about lifting people up, not placing them beneath you.2. Servant leadership is real- an act of stewardship - not ego performance.3. Untamed leadership means you’re shaped by the moment. Not a fixed “guru shtick,” but a living responsiveness to what’s actually happening.4. Follow the room: If half the raft is falling out, your job is to notice and adjust—not plow ahead.5. Online leadership is harder when you can’t read the room—so you must build in space. Silence and processing time can create safety and depth when cameras are off.6. You have to know what’s “tame” (for you)  before you can untame.7. The first phase of untaming can feel like blankness. When you’re letting go of an old habit, sometimes you sit in white space until a truer choice emerges.8. Overprepare so you can throw it away. The goal isn’t structure perfection—it’s truth, essence, and what serves now.9. Permission is the doorway: permission to be messy, to not know, to evolve. Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego QuizTake the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat if leadership isn’t about certainty or strategy?In this first-ever Untamed Leader Conversation, Lauri Smith is joined by intuitive guide Jeni Holla and catalyst-for-change Giselle Jennaway for a raw, spacious, and deeply embodied exploration of what it means to lead from truth rather than conditioning.Together, we question inherited models of leadership rooted in control, approval, and performance—and illuminate a different path: one shaped by sovereignty, intuition, and the courage to stand alone in a frequency before anyone joins you.From the difference between “choice” and true freedom, to releasing self-abandonment, to the quiet power of saying so what to fear, this conversation is about remembering who you already are in order to be the leader the world needs now.This is leadership without a checklist. Presence without performance. And an invitation into the wild, untamed edge of your own truth.Takeaways1. True leaders often aren’t trying to lead—they’re following an inner call and others follow naturally.2. Leadership often begins by standing in a frequency alone, without validation or approval.3. Self-abandonment is not leadership—sovereignty requires staying rooted in your truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.4. The illusion of choice inside a narrow system is not freedom; true sovereignty lives beyond conditioned structures.5. Untamed leadership asks you to follow intuitive knowing before the rational mind catches up.6. Strategy and control belong to the “tamed” self; freedom lives in the space between the notes.7. Exhaustion, grief, and rupture can become portals—sometimes the unknown is kinder than the familiar pain.8. Saying “so what?” dissolves fear’s power and returns you to motion.9. You don’t need to acquire anything to lead—everything you need is already inside you.About Giselle: As a catalyst to change, Giselle Jennaway creates spaces where people can perceive what is hidden in plain sight, access their own wisdom, realise their own agency and set themselves free to live the life that is uniquely theirs.Connect with Giselle:www.whitelionealchemy.earth@mamalionesse on InstagramAbout Jeni: Jeni Holla is an intuitive spiritual guide, retreat leader, and transformational coach who helps people move from overwhelm back into clarity, reconnecting them to the rhythm that feels most true and alive within them.Connect with Jeni: https://jeniholla.com/https://www.instagram.com/iamjeniholla/ Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego QuizTake the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat happens when you put soulful speaking into practice?In this playful and powerful follow-up with Lauren Goldberg, we move from conversation into coaching. Lauren bravely steps into the hot seat to try out a 60-second pitch for her work—and together we explore how shifting from titles and rambling to intention, alignment, and invitation transforms the way she shows up.We talk about why pain-point marketing feels manipulative, how to lead with vision instead, and the difference between cramming everything into an “elevator pitch” versus offering a soul-aligned appetizer. You’ll also hear Lauren’s reflections on public speaking, entrepreneurship, and even her delight in dishwasher jingles.If you’ve ever struggled with pitching yourself, this episode offers both inspiration and practical tools to make your words—and your presence—magnetic.Takeaways1. Starting with your why creates instant connection.2. Pain-point marketing manipulates; vision-led marketing inspires.3. A 60-second pitch is an appetizer, not the whole meal.4. Intend–Align–Invite: three keys to speaking with confidence and impact.5. Alignment means body, breath, and energy working together.6. Pausing and breathing can shift rambling into resonance.7. Networking intros, pitches, and talks can all be playgrounds for practice.8. Public speaking isn’t about proving—it’s about holding space.9. Play and authenticity can reveal the heart of your message. Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat happens when the world tells you to squeeze into a box you were never meant to fit?In this soulful conversation, self-discovery and leadership coach Lauren Goldberg shares her powerful journey from a childhood of silence and perfectionism to embracing her voice, her neurodivergence, and her “kush ball” self. Together, we explore the fog of outdated leadership models, the costs of trying to fit in, and how clearing the fog can open up clarity, confidence, and creativity.If you’ve ever felt stuck in a career identity crisis or pressured to follow someone else’s path, this episode offers fresh perspective, compassion, and a reminder that you don’t have to do it alone.Takeaways1. Silence often begins in childhood—not from lack of ideas, but from fear of failure or judgment.2. Perfectionism and “toxic professionalism” create a fog that hides authentic leadership potential.3.Trying to fit into boxes has a cost:  immense energy drain and loss of self-trust.4. Neurodivergence isn’t a limitation but a source of creativity, adaptability, and leadership strength.5. Old leadership models (“do it like a man,” “climb the ladder”) are outdated and harmful.6. Generalists and multi-passionate people are well-suited for innovation and leadership.7. True confidence comes from embracing your unique “shape” rather than conforming to templates.8. Career transition can be a playground of imagination, not a void to fill.9. Coaching provides both tools and presence—helping people feel less alone as they clear the fog. Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageAt three years old, Markus dragged a chair onto a “stage” and started speaking. He never forgot who he was—until a traumatic moment at nine and a half led him to “wall in” his soul and lose his speaking voice. In this intimate conversation, Markus Neukom (Steward of the Stillness Council) shares how stillness became his compass, why suffering trained him to hold others through transformation, and how song carried his truth when words could not. We explore agency after trauma, choosing joy without bypassing darkness, and the lifelong path of remembering the original blueprint of who we came here to be. If you’ve ever felt silenced—and sensed your soul waiting in the wings—this one’s for you.TAKEAWAYS1. Stillness is an active bridge between mind and heart—not absence of action.2. Early resonance is real: some children arrive knowing their purpose and voice.3. Trauma can mute speech, yet truth can find another channel (for Markus, singing).4. Choosing agency (not blaming) is a powerful path to reclaiming voice.5. “Walled-in” parts aren’t lost; the soul can stay present until it’s safe to lead again.6. Darkness and joy are both teachers; wholeness means holding both.7. Systems we’re meant to reform may first refuse to let us “succeed” inside them.8. The soul work is remembering who we were before the world said who to be.9. Cultivate stillness to hear soul-intelligence and act from it. Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego QuizTake the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat opens up when we decide the ‘good girl’ role isn’t ours to play anymore?In this special Inside the Speakers Studio episode, Lauri Smith traces her journey from playing small to unleashing her fire — from meek “Mary Warren” to fiery “Abigail” — and explores the deeper archetypes of Good Girl, Rule Breaker, and Wild Woman.You’ll hear the pivotal story that opened the doorway to her voice, a fresh take on how rebellion and safety shape us, and a soulful invitation to step into your own Wild Woman (or whatever name resonates with you).If you’ve ever felt torn between being agreeable, being defiant, or being fully yourself — this episode is for you.🎧 Listen in and ask yourself: Who is your Good Girl? Who is your Wild Woman?Takeaways:1. Your whole life comes with you on stage (and radiates back into life).2. Each time you cross a threshold into something you were told not to be, you expand your voice.3. Rebellion is a natural part of growth — but it’s not the end goal.4. Healing and emerging weave together — like a flower folding inward, then blooming stronger.5. Practical reflection questions: Who is your Good Girl? Rule Breaker? Wild Woman? Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat happens when a lifelong teacher and musician steps out from behind the piano and picks up the mic?In this heartfelt conversation, Simply Sarah host Sarah Stockham shares her journey from back-row musician to mic-on leader — and what it really means to say yes (and sometimes no) on the path of aligned speaking. Together, we explore the courage it takes to leave a lifelong role, follow intuitive nudges, and trust that new opportunities will unfold in perfect timing.Sarah’s story is a masterclass in grace, growth, and grounded leadership. From navigating visibility to creating a show that now reaches hundreds of thousands around the world, she reminds us that soulful speaking isn’t about perfection — it’s about presence, choice, and heart.🎧 Tune in for inspiration to trust your own “yes,” honor your “no,” and step into the light of your voice.TAKEAWAYS1. Rock bottom isn’t the end—it's a baseline you can rise from.2. Background roles build presence: musician → conductor → mentor → host.3. Teach (or speak) something five times—then you “own” it and can improvise.4. Community creates courage; inclusion invites voices at every level.5. Define the endpoint: what do you want the audience to think/feel/do?6. Aligned choices include “no.” New seasons require new boundaries.7. Legacy is built in stages: publish, iterate, and let synchronicity meet you.Connect with SarahInstagram & YT: @SarahStockhamSarahStockham.comReikiClaremont.com Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego QuizTake the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhy “One-Size-Fits-All” Speaking Doesn’t Work — and what to do instead.In this intimate solo episode, Lauri pulls back the curtain on the deeper “why” behind her work—and how it breaks free from the industrial, cookie-cutter speaking world.Through personal stories and client journeys, she reveals how true transformation happens when we stop performing, let go of who we were told to be, and step into who we actually are.You’ll also be guided through a short grounding visualization to reconnect to your body, your voice, and the energy you bring into every room you enter.If you’ve ever felt like your voice didn’t quite fit the mold… this one’s for you.Takeaways1. Speaking is a spiritual journey, not a strategy. True transformation happens when you treat speaking as an initiation into your authentic power—not another skill to master.2. Industrial “one-size-fits-all” programs suppress radiance. Most speaker training models teach you to perform, not to be, erasing your natural charisma and voice.3. Your 1-in-8-billion radiance is your magnetism. When primal life force meets purpose, you become magnetic—able to shift the energy in every room you enter.4. Intimacy creates transformation. Small, safe, live spaces allow for real unmasking and growth—something no pre-recorded course or template can replicate.5. Letting go is the threshold to freedom. Every breakthrough begins when you release the “good girl,” “good boy,” or “perfect professional” masks that keep you small.6. Oneness and authenticity are felt, not taught. Lauri’s story of her acting class breakthrough illustrates that presence is born from emotional truth, not control.7. The Soulful Speaking Immersion is a sacred passage. Participants rediscover their voice, embody their message, and remember who they truly are.8. There’s no shortcut to soulful expression. The way out is through—breathing, grounding, and being witnessed in your wholeness.9. You can shift the world by shifting the vibe in the room. When you speak from your soul, your presence becomes the air conditioner—transforming the energy around you. Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat happens when a natural listener with a “small voice” decides to step into visibility?In this candid and inspiring conversation, digital marketing strategist Berlyn Komar shares how she stretched herself beyond anxiety and discomfort to embrace speaking as part of her purpose-driven business journey. From teaching one workshop a month to showing up on podcasts and in-person events, Berlyn’s story is proof that confidence is built one courageous step at a time.We also dive into soulful marketing, the importance of storytelling, and how to ease yourself into visibility—whether you’re just starting out or ready to turn up the volume on your authentic voice.TAKEAWAYS1. Stretching bit by bit builds confidence — small, consistent steps (like monthly workshops) create sustainable growth.2. Being a listener can make you a better speaker — it allows you to tune into your audience and invite connection.3. Confidence comes after action — the “I want to die before” often shifts to “I loved that” afterwards.4. Intend–Align–Invite mantra — a simple framework to bring more presence and clarity into your speaking.5. Visibility is a muscle — the more you practice, the less “cringy” it feels.6. Marketing is storytelling — people want to connect with your mission, not just your product.7. Ease into being seen — start with private videos, move to Instagram Stories, then step into workshops and lives.8. Block people if you need to — it’s okay to protect your space and practice being visible without certain eyes on you.9. Purpose-driven marketing creates fulfillment — working with aligned brands and solopreneurs allows both creativity and contribution.About Berlyn: Berlyn Komar is a digital marketing strategist and founder of Planted Marketing. She has 10 years of experience working with small businesses to help them build foundations, launch, and grow. When she's not behind her computer, you'll find her watching Survivor, reading, or hyper-fixating on whatever hobby she's currently into this week.Connect with Berlyn:https://www.instagram.com/plantedmrktng/https://www.linkedin.com/in/berlynkomar/ Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageMost speakers aim for comfort. But “comfortable” rarely moves an audience.In this solo episode, Lauri Smith invites you into the Radiant Zone—the place where speakers come alive, audiences lean in, and transformation happens. Along the way, she shares the three zones of speaking, why “fine” is forgettable, and how fear and excitement can be channeled into magnetic presence.If your dream is to stop surviving speaking moments and start lighting up rooms, this episode shows you how to step into radiance.Takeaways:1. There are three speaking Zones – Fear, Comfort, and Radiance - and only one of them creates transformation.2. Comfort ≠ Connection – Clarity and competence may be fine, but they won’t make you unforgettable.3. Radiance Requires Sensation – Fear and excitement are neighboring energies; the key is to dance with them.4. Set Emotional Intentions – Focus on what you want your audience to feel, not just what you want them to know.5. Radiant Speaking Is a Practice – Align your body, breath, and energy, then invite your audience on the ride with you. Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageIn part two of my conversation with Kremena Yordanova, we turn to the present — her evolving relationship with speaking, her dance with imposter syndrome, and the art of showing up unscripted and real. Kremena shares her favorite speaking experiences, her perspective on leading across generations, and the importance of humility in conscious leadership. We close with the Pivot Pivot: a playful round of questions that reveal her quirks, her loves, and the legacy she wants to leave behind.TAKEAWAYS:1. Imposter monsters show up to protect us — but their voice isn’t the truth. We can thank them, and then choose not to let them drive.2. Mistakes on stage don’t diminish our power; they make us more magnetic, more human, more alive.3. Presence isn’t about perfection. It’s about allowing life to flow through us in real time, never the same twice.4. Vulnerability is the currency of connection. When we drop the mask, we give others permission to drop theirs.5. Humility is strength. Letting Gen Z or anyone younger than us teach us is leadership in its most conscious form.6. Humanity is like an orchestra. Every voice — drums, violins, even the instruments we’ve never heard before — is needed for true harmony.7. Conscious leadership begins with ourselves. It’s the daily practice of asking: Who do I want to be remembered as? Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageBefore becoming a keynote speaker and conscious leadership voice, Kremena Yordanova was known as “The Kremenator” — a corporate leader who could get things done, but at the cost of masking her softer self. In this first part of our conversation, Kremena shares her earliest experiences with speaking (including a childhood stage freeze), how yoga helped her dissolve fear and reconnect with presence, and the high price of wearing masks in the corporate world. Together, we explore the link between survival, performance, and authenticity — and the moment yoga entered her life to change everything.Takeaways1. Childhood stage freeze can echo long into adulthood — until we meet practices that set us free.2. There’s a profound difference between performing a mask and speaking from truth.3. Sometimes the part of ourselves we most resist seeing holds the key to our liberation.4. Humor can be both a gift and a mask, depending on how we use it.5. Leading from toughness alone comes with a cost. Sooner or later, it wears us down.6. Yoga can be a doorway to both recovery and integration alongside a demanding corporate career.7. As wild, untamed, radiant leaders, it’s important to tend to both fire and softness. Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat if selling could feel like service?In this solo episode, Lauri Smith unpacks the vulnerable, often uncomfortable act of making offers—and how to transform it from something that feels icky and manipulative into an act of alignment, service, and magnetism. She shares her own early struggles with “forgetting to ask” or over-explaining like a district attorney, the moment a mentor told her “you didn’t even invite them,” and how she discovered a more soulful way.Through stories and practical insights, Lauri guides you from head-driven selling to heart-led invitations and soul-aligned magnetic selling. Whether you’re leading a workshop, giving a talk, or in a one-on-one conversation, this episode will help you shift from speak to sell → speak to serve—and feel the difference in your body, your energy, and your results.Takeaways:1. Selling often triggers childhood vulnerability—the feeling of waiting to be picked.2. Cookie-cutter “speak to sell” formulas feel icky because they put money above service.3. When selling from our heads alone,we risk over-explaining and proving our case.4. Bringing our hearts online connects us to the excitement for our client’s transformation.5. The deepest shift happens when our soul leads: inviting from non-attachment.6. Magnetic selling means aligning with our purpose and serving our client’s journey.7. Speak-to-serve reframes selling as holding space for someone’s transformation.8. The right clients are magnetized when we’re aligned; the wrong ones naturally repel.9. Selling becomes a sacred moment when it’s about presence, not pressure. Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat if the tears we fear are actually the doorway to our deepest power?In Part 2 of this flipped conversation, Evelyne Brink invites Lauri to share how letting herself be seen — trembling, raw, and alive — transformed not just her theater work but her life’s calling. Together they explore the sacred edge between control and surrender, why speaking through tears can open hearts, and how true transformation comes when we allow our full aliveness to shine.Takeaways:1. Lessons from the ancient art of theatre serve leaders, not just actors.2. Speaking through tears, energy, and sensation can open doors that logic alone cannot.3. Transformation requires energy and presence, not just information.4. Emotional fluidity — surfing the edge of feeling without being consumed — makes communication magnetic.5. True visibility isn’t about performance, but about letting our full aliveness shine. Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageBeneath every mask we wear, there is a spark waiting to be seen.Season 2 opens with a flipped conversation where voice and visibility coach Evelyne Brink turns the questions back on Lauri. Together they explore the roots of the “Good Girl” mask, how sensitivity shaped survival, and the breakthrough moment when a hidden fire finally came roaring out on stage. This is where the journey from Good Girl to Wild Woman truly begins.Key Takeaways:1. The “Good Girl” mask can look different for everyone — from compliance to quiet rebellion.2. Sensitivity in childhood often turns into hyper-vigilance in adulthood.3. Breakthroughs happen when we allow ourselves to be bigger than the boxes others put us in.4. Archetypes like Good Girl, Rule-Breaker, and Wild Woman illuminate how we grow beyond “shoulds.”5. Stepping into roles that scare us often unlocks parts of ourselves we didn’t know were there.6. When we stop trying to “get it right” and let our inner fire lead, others can finally see who we truly are.7. The moments we risk being “too much” often become the moments that change everything. Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageSupport the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageThe spark that began my Good Girl to Wild Woman journey — from a childhood garage spotlight to the moment I realized I was keeping myself small.Before Season 2 officially begins, Lauri shares the story that sparked a powerful new chapter in her life and work. Originally told in her Soul of Visibility Playshop, this is the first glimpse of her Good Girl to Wild Woman journey — from a childhood garage spotlight to Silicon Valley masks, to the acting class moment that melted decades of protection.Key Takeaways:1. Early experiences shape the masks we wear — and the ways we learn to be seen or hide.2. Choosing environments that honor our sensitivity helps us thrive.3. Sometimes the loudest wake-up call comes from within: “Don’t you know I’m meant for greater things?”4. Breakthroughs sometimes feel like a period of melting away, not a single instant of change.5. True visibility isn’t about grasping for attention — it’s about letting our one-in-eight-billion radiance shine. Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat does it really take to speak from the soul?In Part 2 of this special highlight series, we continue our journey through the raw, radiant, and deeply human stories of the Season One Soulful Speaking guests. From moments of doubt to sparks of awakening, each voice reminds us that the path to authentic expression is rarely linear—but always worth it.Whether you're facing the green light of the camera or the pressure of a family dinner table, these stories invite you to reclaim your voice and speak your truth.Guests included: Eric, Emily, Dana, Tina, Amy, Joanne, Giselle🎧 Missed Part 1? Go back and catch up on more stories that stir the soul.TAKEAWAYS1. Your voice can be a bridge between the personal and the universal—especially when rooted in truth.2. The moment you stop hiding—even just a little—everything can begin to shift.3. Healing your relationship with your voice often means healing your relationship with power, presence, and self-worth.4. Soulful speaking is not about being fearless—it’s about finding the courage to speak through the fear.5. In the right moments, stillness, silence, and softness are just as powerful as sound.6. Owning your story—especially the messy parts—can become your greatest act of service.7. Your voice doesn’t need to be “perfect” to be powerful. It just needs to be yours. Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat happens when soulful humans find the courage to speak their truth?In this special Season One highlight reel, we revisit the powerful, personal stories of some of our most beloved guests—from the moments they almost lost their voice to the breakthroughs that brought them home to it.Whether you’re new to Soulful Speaking or walking this path with us from the start, this episode is a celebration of truth, transformation, and the radiant power of voice.Guests included: Brian, Maurine, Annie, Jeni, Candis, Nick, Bridget🎧 This is Part 1 of 2. Stay tuned for more wisdom, wildness, and wonder in Part 2.Takeaways:1. You are not alone—every soulful speaker has faced doubt, fear, or silence before reclaiming their voice.2. Your “too much” or “not enough” might actually be your greatest gift.3. Speaking from the soul is not about performance—it’s about presence, truth, and resonance.4. The journey from hiding to shining often begins with a single moment of courage.5. Authenticity connects more deeply than perfection ever could.6. It’s possible to transform pain into power through your story.7. Your voice, just as it is, can be a catalyst for healing—both yours and others’. Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat do 14 soulful speakers say when the spotlight softens and the mic gets personal?In this special bonus episode, we’re mashing up answers from the “Pivot Pivot” lightning round—a series of rapid-fire questions inspired by Bernard Pivot and Inside the Actors Studio. From favorite words to how they hope to be remembered, this mash-up offers a glimpse into the hearts behind the voices.As I edited, I was struck all over again by just how extraordinary these people are—wisdom, heart, soul, purpose, and presence, all wrapped in breathtaking humanity.Take a listen. Let their answers stir your own reflections.And maybe—just maybe—you’ll find yourself smiling (or tearing up) along the way. Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageGiselle Jennaway’s journey from strenuous avoidance of speaking to using her voice as a tool for deep transformation is nothing short of alchemy. In this soulful conversation, Lauri and Giselle explore the moments that shaped Giselle’s relationship with her voice - from childhood shutdowns to profound ahas. A series of synchronicities sparked a connection that highlights the transformative power of intention and the magic that happens when we speak in service of those we’re meant to reach. Giselle’s path led her from being silenced in a choir, to dreading the spotlight, to ultimately finding her voice as a multi-talented practitioner and teacher delivering hypnotic, transformational messages. TAKEAWAYS:1. Sensations are Tools, Not Obstacles – Instead of fighting the “nerves”, learn to harness them to enhance your presence and connection.2. Speaking in Service Dissolves Self-Consciousness – When you focus on who you’re meant to reach, fear takes a backseat to purpose.3. Your Voice Carries a Transmission That’s Beyond Words – The way you speak carries energy that can awaken something powerful in your audience.4. Rejection is Redirection – Being dismissed from choir at age five didn’t mean Giselle wasn’t meant to use her voice—it meant she was meant to use it differently.5. That Green Dot is a Portal – When speaking online, imagine the people you’re serving instead of getting lost in the isolation of a camera lens.6. Live Speaking is Like Improv – Just like in live theater, the most magical moments often come when things go “wrong.”7. Your People Will Find You – When you speak from alignment, only those who resonate will tune in—everyone else will simply move on.8. Synchronicity Shapes Your Speaking Path – Trust that the right opportunities, mentors, and audiences will appear at the perfect time.9. Let Your Voice Do Its Job – Whether through storytelling, coaching, or hypnosis, your voice has a unique power that’s always at play in magical ways.Connect with Giselle:www.whitelionealchemy.earth@mamalionesse on Instagramhttps://www.whitelionealchemy.earth/products/223081-Self-Referenced-Personal-WorkshopGiselle offered a special gift to Soulful Speaking listeners: use the code LAURI at checkout on her website to access Personal Workshop FREE to Access your Full Potential Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego QuizTake the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat happens when a highly sensitive person takes center stage?In this episode of Soulful Speaking, copywriting soul genius Joanne Homestead shares her journey from a terrified five-year-old clutching a microphone to a confident entrepreneur embracing her authentic voice. Along the way, she invites us into a deeply human exploration of fear, presence, and transformation.Together, we explore:Why some of our earliest speaking experiences leave lasting marksHow teaching became Joanne’s improv playgroundThe hidden challenges (and gifts) of being a highly sensitive speakerWhat to do when the spotlight feels more like an alien abductionWhy soulful visibility begins with listening to your own needsThis episode is a love letter to the late bloomers, the empathic entrepreneurs, and anyone who's ever wondered if they were “too much” for the stage. You’re not. Your presence is powerful—and your story deserves to be told.TAKEAWAYS1. Your speaking journey might begin before you even realize it. (Joanne’s began at age 5—and not by choice.)2. Bravery isn’t the absence of nerves; it’s showing up anyway.3. Empathy for your younger self can be a powerful healing tool.4. Memorized speeches can shut down connection. Presence invites it in.5. Teaching is speaking with heart—especially when it’s tailored in the moment.6. Sensitivity isn’t a weakness—it’s a superpower in speaking and connection.7. Every classroom, audience, or moment is different. Adaptability is leadership.8. Soulful self-care looks like breaks, breath, and maybe even fiction books.9. You don’t have to shout to be heard—you just have to resonate.✨ Connect with Joanne:Website & Free Storytelling Guide: deskplantcreatives.com Follow on LinkedIn: Joanne Homestead Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego QuizTake the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageThis mini-sode is more than a warm-up—it’s a return to yourself.Straight from the opening moments of the Spring 2025 Soulful Speaking Immersion, this grounding practice invites you to root into the earth, rise into your voice, and connect with your soul’s presence.Whether you’re about to speak, create, or simply want to reconnect with your truth, let this be your reset. Close your eyes (unless you’re driving), take a breath, and come home to you.Presence isn’t just the preparation—it is the practice. Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageHow do you find your voice—whether in writing, speaking, or leading? In this episode of Soulful Speaking, I sit down with Amy Vogel, an author and book coach who helps women share their stories and turn their publishing dreams into reality.Amy’s journey took her from sales to preaching to publishing, and she shares the lessons she’s learned about authentic communication along the way. We dive into relational speaking, overcoming the fear of not having a story to tell, and why embracing imperfection leads to deeper connections.TAKEAWAYSYour story is already inside you. Many people think they don’t have a story worth sharing, but it's often just waiting to be uncovered.Speaking and writing are both relational. Whether on stage or on paper, great communication is about connecting with your audience.Perfection kills connection. The more we try to be perfect, the less we engage with the people we’re speaking to.Your audience is rooting for you. Whether you’re auditioning, giving a talk, or publishing a book, people want you to succeed.Set an intention for your audience. Before speaking or writing, ask: What do I want people to experience?Be the guide, not the hero. When sharing your story, remember—you’re not Luke Skywalker; you’re Yoda, guiding your audience.Creativity is a process, not an instant download. Writing (like speaking) is about discovering clarity through the act of doing.Don’t be afraid to have fun. The best speakers and writers allow room for spontaneity and human moments.Authenticity is what people remember. More than your words, they remember how you made them feel.About Amy Amy Vogel is an author and women's book coach. Her fiction books are themed for feminine empowerment, offering readers a fresh perspective on what it means to be a woman. Through her nonfiction works, she provides practical tools for healing and finding hope. As an entrepreneur and coach, Amy is dedicated to empowering women to share their stories, helping them cast a vision for a better world by turning their publishing dreams into reality.Connect with Amywww.amywvogel.comhttps://www.facebook.com/amywvogelhttps://www.instagram.com/awvogel Soul Sucker QuizTake the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

Send Lauri a messageWhat if the voice in your head that tells you you're too much—or not enough—isn’t the truth, but a frightened part of you trying to keep you safe?In this episode, Lauri shines a compassionate light on the “Soul Suckers”—inner critics like the Nervous Nellies, the Controlling Stage Mothers, the Imposter Monsters, and the Below-the-Belt Bastards. With storytelling, warmth, and grounded wisdom, she guides you through recognizing their influence, reclaiming your voice, and using Soulful Speaking tools—Intend, Align, Invite—to let your soul speak instead.Whether you’ve been holding back in meetings, onstage, or in life, this episode is a call to stop shrinking and start resounding. Because your voice isn’t broken—it’s just been drowned out.TAKEAWAYS1. The Soul Suckers all whisper the same core lie: “Not enough.”2. Ignoring them doesn’t work—in fact, it makes them louder.3. Soul Suckers convert you into the toy drum version of yourself; your soul was born to play the real drum.4. Intend, Align, Invite is the antidote: intention clears the static, alignment opens the channel, and invitation allows us to touch others in the way only we can.5. Each Soul Sucker has a kernel of truth—but it's distorted.6. Being different is not a flaw. It’s your one-in-eight-billion superpower.7. The Controlling Stage Mothers steal spontaneity; connection matters more than perfection.8. Releasing the Soul Suckers doesn’t mean silencing them—it means choosing not to let them drive the bus.9. When you honor your soul’s voice, cosmic shifts can happen. Support the showThank you so much for listening!Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/Follow me on:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646